Romantic comedies inspire hope in the best way possible. Intertwining humor into a story of one’s journey to love, these projects tend to make light of the spontaneity of life: from the people one meets, the experiences one has, and the lessons one learns.
Some of these series see previous love stories revived while others create new, endearing tales from familiar tropes, breaking new ground with the protagonists of their love stories. Ranging in age and identity, these televised tales touch on identifiable insecurities, fears of abandonment and betrayal, and also self-love as an important factor when beginning and developing a romantic relationship. From revivals to completely new additions to the genre, here are the 10 best rom-coms of the 2020s that television has to offer so far.
9
‘The Best Man: The Final Chapters’ (2022)
A sequel to the film of the same name, The Best Man: The Final Chapters, sees beloved and abhorred characters alike return for a sizzling miniseries packed with explosive drama, new faces, and a sense of reprieve. As Harper (Taye Diggs) ponders upon the prospects of turning his classic novel “Unfinished Business” into a film, he reconvenes with his closest friends, who each arrive with their own baggage. Sifting through issues regarding parenting, rekindling romances, and professional decisions, The Best Man: The Final Chapters shines a light on the durability of friendship, the meaning of love, and how both serve as a sturdy foundation for the future.
Black Love and Black Excellence, Revisited
Completing the trilogy of projects, The Best Man: The Final Chapters invites longtime fans and new-found audiences to an established universe where both actors and characters carry themselves with a satisfying familiarity. An exemplary, contemporary model of an ensemble cast, each character’s story, vulnerabilities, and passions stand on their own as strongly as they serve as a thread interwoven with the rest of the life changes present in the series. From unforgettably amusing lines from Regina Hall to the ridiculousness provided by Morris Chestnut, the 2023 miniseries stands as a worthwhile expansion of monumental love stories.
8
‘Colin From Accounts’ (2023 – Present)
Colin From Accounts follows Sydney-based Gordon (Patrick Branmall) and Ashley (Harriett Dyer), two strangers whose lives converge following a car accident. When the two discover an injured dog at the scene, a mutual decision is made to name the dog Colin and to take them in. As their romantic relationship soars, the two are exposed to each other’s flaws and soon discover the joy of opening up to another and being embraced. Taking Australia by storm, the series will be released internationally and fans currently await a third season.
A Dose of Empathy and Entertainment
With fundamental symbols of joy, such as the presence of a dog, as well as the surprise of meeting someone new, Colin From Accounts taps into a universal yearning for understanding. As Gordon and Ashley disclose their deepest insecurities, the series uses refreshingly relatable humor and entertaining epiphanies to illustrate the joy one can experience by opening themselves up to a special someone, opting for an attainable happy ever-after rather than submitting to a fantastical interpretation of romance.
7
‘Starstruck’ (2021 – 2023)
Starstruck sees Jessie (Rose Matafeo), a New Zealander, spending her twenties in London with two jobs. One fateful night, however, Jessie connects with a man who she later finds out is famous actor Tom Kapoor (Nikesh Patel). Despite their distinct lives, the two’s initial introduction blossoms into a sprawling yet difficult romance. Between the former’s disillusionment with her current life in London and the latter’s growing understanding of relationships, sexuality, and his career ambitions, the two make quite the pair to follow on this three-season love journey.
A Hilarious Tale of Starcrossed Lovers
Combining authentic anxieties about the future with a hilarious, screwball comedic approach, the series debuted to rave reviews. Aside from the show’s sharp ridicule of modern dating among various mundane acts of life, the chemistry between Jessie and Tom makes for a love story one would be remiss to pull their eyes from. Furthermore, performances from the likes of Minnie Driver highlight the show’s ability to traverse familiar terrain without forfeiting the story’s quality, relatability, and potential.
6
‘Platonic’ (2023 – Present)
Platonic is one of many underrated gems found on Apple TV+. Led by Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne, the series follows Will and Sylvia, two former best friends who reconnect after years spent forging their own lives. With Will recently divorced and Sylvia hoping to reintegrate herself back into the workforce after getting married to her lawyer husband Charlie (Luke MacFarlane), and having three children, the two provide each other with a necessary push to face their regrets and build towards a better future.
An Entertaining Adventure in Friendship
Between Byrne and Rogen’s comedic chemistry as well as the show’s glaringly realistic depiction of millennial life, the series is a refreshing dive into the nuances of friendships, and by extension, attraction. Acts of loyalty and consideration, coupled with bouts of frustration, blur the lines between a deep, platonic connection between Will and Sylvia, or a potential romance. As old and new faces pop in and out, the series takes a step back and uses various tropes found in romance to highlight the beauty of reconnection and the value of companionship.
5
‘Heartstopper’ (2022 – Present)
Release Date
April 22, 2022
Showrunner
Alice Oseman
Directors
euros lyn, Andy Newbery
Heartstopper sees the coming-of-age webtoon adapted for new eyes on Netflix. Created by author Alice Oseman, the series follows Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), a gay teen who develops a crush on his popular classmate Nick Nelson (Kit O’Connor). As the series delves deeper into their growing relationship, it also tracks the life and loves of their friends Tao (William Gao), Elle (Yasmin Finney), and Isaac (Tobie Donovan), to name a few. Since its premiere, the series has been heralded as a necessarily sweet coming of age romance.
A Heartfelt, Uplifting Ode to Adolescence
The series, while admittedly more accessible compared to shows like Sex Education, the series does not let itself get drowned by its most saccharine moments. Opting for an authentic and modern look at coming-of-age love stories, the series casts a wide net and offers audiences a multitude of heartwarming examples of relationships, friendships, and admiration. Locke and O’Connor command attention with their roles at the forefront, diving into complex expressions of masculinity and queerness while also capturing the excepted chaos of adolescence.
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4
‘High Fidelity’ (2020)
In a single season, High Fidelity left an undeniable mark on its audiences. An adaptation of the John Cusac-led, 2000 film, the series stars Zoë Kravitz as Robyn “Rob” Brooks, the owner of a vinyl store with a list of memorable, failed relationships. Each episode invites the audience to follow Rob down memory lane as she pieces together her “Top 5 Worst Heartbreaks”, with one clearly sticking out above the rest. When the fated ex (Kingsley Ben-Adir) returns to New York, Rob sifts through confusing feelings while also coming to terms with her feelings of inadequacy.
Much like the original source material, the series doubles as a fascinating look at romantic relationships and a pleasant exploration of music and its powers to preserve memories and ultimately heal. Kravitz takes command, guiding viewers through an emotionally charged yet rewarding exploration of Rob’s yearning for affection, her disillusionment with her loneliness, as well as her internal conflict dealing with fatalism and free will.
3
‘Heartbreak High’ (2022 – Present)
Release Date
2022 – 2024
Showrunner
Hannah Carroll Chapman
Directors
Gracie Otto, Adam Murfet, Jessie Oldfield, Neil Sharma
A reboot of the iconic Australian teen drama, Heartbreak High, follows a diverse group of students attending Hartley High. These Sydney-based teens stir up quite enough trouble with their antics, but after the discovery of graffiti on the walls of the school turns former it-girl Amerie Wadia (Ayesha Madon) into a social pariah, she hopes to build back her reputation, and her friendship with Harper (Asher Yasbincek) with the help of dynamic duo Darren (James Majoos) and Quinni (Chloé Hayden). Concurrently, Amerie slowly but surely forges a connection with new student Malakai (Thomas Weatherall), one of many series-defining relationships in the series.
A Worthwhile, Love-Filled Revival
While other shows get accused of being performative with their inclusivity efforts, Heartbreak High stands as a shining example of what genuine inclusivity looks like, and it appears in every facet of the character’s lives. From their home life to their love life, every facet of their identity is embraced, rather than aspects of their character, just as race or sexuality are siloed off from the rest of their being. Moreover, the show uses genuinely captivating humor to explore the insecurities and the excitement that defines young love, acknowledging the phenomenon as a formative piece of self-discovery.
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2
‘Never Have I Ever’ (2020 – 2023)
Release Date
2020 – 2022
Showrunner
Lang Fisher
Directors
Lang Fisher
Never Have I Ever have been considered a watershed moment for various reasons. From its depiction of the lives, traumas, and aspirations of South Asian women and culture, its embrace of protagonist Devi Vishawakumar’s (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) messiness and moral grayness, and its in-depth look at its supporting characters. In four seasons, the series managed to efficiently capture the awkwardness of high school, mental health, and young love.
A Hilarious and Compassionate Comedy
Despite criticisms about the narrow selection of romantic partners, the quality of the storytelling behind Devi’s respective relationships with Paxton (Darren Barnett) and Ben (Jarren Lewison), as well as the romantic pairings of characters like Nalini (Poorna Jagannathan), Kamala (Richa Moorjani), Fabiola (Lee Rodriguez), and Eleanor (Ramona Young), saves the series from being just another reductive romance.
The compassion for each character, even during their most unsavory moments, opens audiences up to the universal feelings of inadequacy that the aforementioned characters attempt to hide. Aiming to navigate family life, multiple cultures, and grief, while reveling in the highs and lows of high school romance, Never Have I Ever remains a uniquely enjoyable young adult romance.
1
‘Nobody Wants This’ (2024 – Present)
Release Date
September 6, 2024
Showrunner
Erin Foster, Craig DiGregorio
Writers
Erin Foster
Nobody Wants This stars Kristen Bell and Adam Brody in a contemporary rom-com about Joanne, a sex-positive podcast host, and Noah, a rabbi. When the two cross paths, their mutual attraction blossoms. However, a fear of their seemingly clashing lifestyles as well as external opinions from their loved ones, further complicate their new union. Nevertheless, these complications seem to spark new, necessary conversations that illuminate Joanne and Noah, as well as the audience, of experiences like falling in love, self-exploration, and self-improvement.
A Promising New Delight
Recently renewed for season two, the series has largely been embraced as one of Netflix’s best releases in recent memory. Between the tangible chemistry between Bell and Brody as well as its considerate illustration of how people contend with their own morals, aspirations, and insecurities during a new relationship. While this may sound easily accomplishable, a lot of rom-coms tend to fall into familiar, rigid archetypes and ultimately disregard the authenticity that make these fundamental questions about life and love relatable to everyday viewers. Nobody Wants This has expectations to exceed, but as of now, it remains one of the most impressive love stories in recent memory.
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